Beer festivals are great after a few months of extreme cold, and not just because they give you an opportunity to drink outside. The Edmonton Beer Festival gives you access to rare, less-available beers, so you can taste a wide variety, hang out with your heroes and other beer lovers, and learn a thing or two. At beer festivals, you can literally drink as much as you want for just the entrance fee, and there can’t possibly be a better way for beer lovers to spend a few evening hours.
In order to enjoy beer fests, it is important that you take the necessary preparations. The following tips will help you survive massive beer events in 2015 and guarantee you a great time:
Eat prior to entering the festival
Give yourself time to get the flavor of the food out of your mouth or you will be tasting food-flavored beer, and continue to seek out food for the duration of the festival. Typical beer festival fare of turkey legs, pizza, nachos and different sandwiches will give your stomach a much needed buffer between beer and alcohol absorption. Take time to enjoy your food; this will also help to cleanse your palate between flights of beer.
Try to come close to drinking equal parts water and beer
If you have four two ounce servings of beer, try and drink that same amount of water before moving on to another flight of beer. Most festivals provide either bottled water or some other way of obtaining water specifically for this purpose. You will undoubtedly use the restrooms more frequently, but in the end this will keep you from becoming dehydrated and could help reduce the chance of suffering a hangover later on.
Have a list of beers and a plan
Almost all beer festivals provide lists of both breweries and the beers that they plan to bring along to vend at the festival. Get hold of that list and start planning what flights you might want to try. The Beer festivals also provide a site layout–this makes finding your favorites that much easier.
Make sure you actually taste the beers.
Too often attendees at festivals look at those festivals as a four hour kegger. To enjoy the festival and create a lasting impression in your mind, and to retain a happy memory of the beers you drank (that you should be able to find after the festival), take your time to actually taste the beer. Tasting hints to consider:
- Aroma – Since half of taste is actually our olfactory perception, take time to smell the beer. Make a mental note of what you can smell.
- Appearance – Although most festivals pour in two ounce portions, you should be able get a good idea of the look of the beer. The head retention, color, cloudiness, etc.
- Taste – When tasting, it is recommended that you drink only half of the sample initially. Make a note of the different properties of the beer (bitter/sweet/tart, etc.).
- Mouth feel – What did the beer feel like? Thick, chewy, silky, fizzy? The texture will have an effect upon your perception and enjoyment of the beer.
One last tip: dress appropriately for the weather and put on some comfortable shoes, as you will be spending a lot of time on your feet at the Edmonton Beer Festival.
Source: Enjoying a Beer Festival
When it comes to getting ideas for Christmas gifts for people, it can be a challenge. The important thing is to find something they like and think along those lines. Today we will be reviewing some ideas for people who love beer. Most of the people we know love beer and these ideas can be a great gift for them, some even if they are not frequent drinkers.
One universal gift for beer lovers are Coasters. Now you might think that this is a simple gift that shows a lack of effort. You could not be more mistaken. Beer coasters come in all shapes, sizes and quality as well. While it is true that you can find some basic cardboard coasters for a relatively low price; you can also find some very amazing ones as well. Whether they be made out of wood, concrete, cement or any other material that is just the tip of the iceberg. You can find coasters with amazing engravings and designs to fit most peoples taste.
Beer Glasses, mugs and steins are amazing gift ideas as well. Beer glasses come in a variety of shapes and sizes fitting in to everyone’s bar styles as well. These can be short, tall, or pint glasses and can be plain or with some sort of design on it as well. People enjoy showing off beer glasses when offering guests a beer. Most of these will have a story behind them. Beer mugs can also be found in a large variety of forms and sizes so you will always have choices based on whom you will be giving it to. Beer steins are more exotic and are beer mugs that are usually made out of some sort of stone. These tend to have an intricate design that makes them a very nice addition to anyone’s collection. Again these come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some even come with a top so you will have many options based on whom you will be giving it to.
Beer Covers are also a nice gift to receive, as they will be put to good use. As with glasses there are several varieties of beer covers. Some are made to insulate your beer so as to keep it chilled longer; others chill your beer at the same time. Some can be used for bottles, glasses or cans; while others can only be used on one or the other. It is important to remember who will receive this gift, as this will allow you to pick the most adequate one.
An interesting and different idea for a beer lover is a Brewer Kit. These are usually not overly expensive and give your friend the opportunity to brew his or her own beer. This is a good gift idea for someone that is adventurous and will try new things. There are several varieties of beer and packages you may find depending on their taste. Again it will be important to know whom you are selecting this for so you can find the best one. You may even inspire them to become brewers and you will wind up receiving free beer for years to come.
A final gift idea for beer lovers is a Beer Dispenser. This is a more expensive gift and one for someone who is a frequent beer drinker. This will give them the opportunity to have a bar at home and easily dispense cold beer to multiple guests. As mentioned before this, while being an amazing idea, is an expensive one and should only be considered to a true beer lover. This idea will also allow you to have a future gift for them as you can get the faucet knobs and other accessories in the future.
I hope this guide has helped you gain some ideas, and remember there are plenty more out there that can be found as well. Try to always keep in mind who the gift is for as this will make the selection process easier as well.
A great bartender can make the difference between an average night out and a fantastic one. You might not think so, but a bartender at the top of his (or her!) game can really enhance your night out. Here are the qualities to look for.
Attentive, But Not Too Attentive
You don’t want a bartender that’s going to dominate your conversation or engage with you and neglect all his other customers. What you do want is someone who’s quick of wit, glib of tongue, and always notices when your drink is running low. If you’re having to chase down your bartender to remind him you need a refill, then you’re not in the presence of a great bartender.
Knowledgeable
If your bartender doesn’t know more about beer than you do, you’re in the wrong place. Any question you’ve got about any beer the place serves, and many that they don’t, should be at your bartender’s fingertips. If he hesitates or doesn’t know, find another place. It shouldn’t be up to you to train the staff. On a related note, bartenders need to be passionate about the beer they serve. It should show in their presentation and when they talk about it. In particular, they should be fussy about temperature, and be perfectly prepared to accept your decision if you find that the beer is not tasting right. Beer is a living substance and it can be moody. A great bartender knows that and will change the barrel if you say so.
Clean and Fast
The bar should be spotless. The bartender should be tending to it anytime he’s not fixing someone a drink, and where those drinks are concerned, he should be lighting fast on the delivery.
Gives Good Head
Okay, get your mind out of the gutter. Draught beer needs a good, foamy head. Not too big, and not nonexistent. Presentation matters, and a beer delivered to you with just the right amount of foam adds to the scent and flavor like you would not believe. A great bartender understands this and can pour a perfect pint every time, probably in his sleep.
Come enjoy the wonderful world of beer at the Edmonton International Beer Festival.
If you want to get the most out of each beer you drink, then you’ve got to find its sweet spot; the temperature at which you find the beer to be its most flavorful and robust. The first rule is to forget what the brewers tell you is the best serving temperature for your favorite beer. It always comes down to personal preference. For instance, conventional wisdom says that stouts are best enjoyed at something close to room temperature, or on the warm side, while IPA’s are generally best enjoyed on the cold side. Definitely use these as a starting point, but experimentation is key.
When trying a new beer for the first time, start with it cold, say a temperature of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, drink slowly, and let it warm as you go along. Pay close attention to the beer’s flavors at each interval, and take the beer’s temperature when you find the sweet spot for yourself. Make a note of it, and go on to the next beer you enjoy. Keep repeating that process till you’ve covered all your favorites.
When visiting England, I was lucky enough to go to the brewery tap of a famous independent brewery. (That’s the pub that adjoins and is owned by the brewery). At a brewery tap, you can expect to taste beer at its finest, served at the perfect temperature. The barman was full of apologies; their cellar had dropped below its optimum temperature for the stouts due to unusually cold weather, and he was advising drinkers to allow their beer to stand for a couple of minutes so that it would warm up a degree or two and reach its optimum. This was an impressive example of devotion to the brewer’s art.
Knowing each of your favorite brew’s perfect drinking temperature will definitely maximize your enjoyment, but of course, you don’t have perfect control over the temperature when you’re at a bar. You can ballpark it, but you’ll find your best results when you drink at home. Some beer enthusiasts even go so far as to have a dedicated beer fridge set to just the right temperature for their favorite brews.
The idea of having a dedicated beer fridge might sound a bit excessive to you, but once you have tasted, tested, and found the sweet spots for your favorite brews, you’ll better understand. It makes a world of difference. When you expand your pallet and try a new beer, just perform the same experiment, starting cold and letting it slowly warm. You’ll be glad you did.
To try a whole range of fantastic beers, each served at the perfect temperature, visit the 2015 Edmonton International Beer Festival.
If you’ve got a beer lover in your life, why not get something for him on his birthday or for Christmas this year that really speaks to his passion? Below, you’ll find five exquisite gift ideas for your beer loving family and friends. A little something for every taste and budget.
Let’s start with the basics. This key-shaped bottle opener is engraved with the message ‘You’re Intoxicating’ and is the perfect tool to keep around for those backyard barbecues. If you’re on a budget, this is an excellent choice.
A little more upscale, a little more unusual, these are hand crafted by Potter Stephanie Theado. Each one unique, this is idea for any beer enthusiast with a sense of refinement and a taste for history that rivals his taste for beer.
You have to admit, whoever dreamed up this idea was either a genius or a madman. Either way, it works, because you just never know when you might need to crack open a cold one, and with these clever, stealthy cufflinks, you’ll never be without a trusty opener. Quite possibly the best, most functional clothing accessory ever invented.
Comes complete with handy places to put bottle caps from your US road trip come beer tasting extravaganza. Say goodbye to boring vacations, and say hello to coast to coast beer tasting Nirvana.
Because let’s face it, drinking beer often puts you in a playful mood. Now, you can satisfy your game craving and enjoy a cold one with this fabulous mini beer pong set. What could be better?
Of course, these five are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a whole world of clever beer-related products out there, but this should get your mind turning on the subject. Do something special for the beer lover in your life next holiday season or for his (or her) birthday, and by the way, here’s a great sixth bonus gift idea. How about giving them a ticket to next year’s Edmonton International Beer Festival?
It’s time to dust off the grill and break out the tongs again, barbecue season is here! In celebration, here’s a hand selected list of some of the finest brews ever to be paired with outdoor cooking. Drink up, read on, and enjoy.
Full Sail Session Black
A dark beer that’s surprisingly light. Toasty malts combine with a hint of chocolate to give this brew a full bodied taste without sitting too heavily on your stomach. The flavors are strong enough though to ensure that it stands up well next to a big juicy steak fresh from the grill.
Sprecher Black
A bit bolder and fuller than the black mentioned above, this beer is stout enough to stand up to anything you can throw at it. Don’t serve this with mild foods like grilled chicken and fish, or the beer may run away with your taste buds, but if you’re serving up sharp, bold flavors on the barbecue, then this is an excellent addition to the menu.
Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen
If you’re doing seafood on the grill, then you want something lighter than the beers above. In that case, this is our recommendation. It’s a wheat ale, light in color and filled with zesty lemon tones that will pair perfectly with your seafood entrees.
Sierra Nevada Summerfest
Crisp, clean and refreshing, this tasty pilsner has just the right amount of zip to go with most anything, but really stands out among lighter fare, in particular chicken dishes and halumi (our vegetarian friends just love barbecues halumi cheese.)
Angry Orchard Apple Ginger Hard Cider
If you like your barbecue Southern Style, then you need a drink that can pair well with that. If that’s where your tastes run, then you’d be hard pressed to find a better match than this hard cider by Angry Orchard. Sweet, tart with a ginger bite that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
Ommegang Abbey Ale
Sometimes, lamb can be a hard meat to pair properly with a beer, but in this case, it’s about as close to a perfect match as you can get. Ruby in hue and Belgian inspired, this beer is great by itself, but it’s even better with some freshly seared lamb flavoured with rosemary.
Try these, and many other great barbecue beers at the Edmonton International Beer Fest next April. now!
